Welcome to the SCB Marine Section

The Marine Section of SCB provides a home for Marine Conservation Biology in order to further marine conservation science, research and public policy. Unlike other SCB Sections, the Marine Section does not have a specifically regional focus as marine issues are global.

Section News

22 December 2017

1 November 2017

Call for Nominations for the Jairo Mora Sandoval Bravery Award

Environmentalist Jairo Mora Sandoval was murdered by poachers in 2013 while protecting leatherback sea turtle nests in Costa Rica. The SCB Marine Section honors his legacy with the Jairo Mora Sandoval Bravery Award - given for bravery associated with an outstanding contribution to the field of marine conservation, with particular emphasis on responsible and educated scientific endeavor, public engagement and conservation activism. The award is intended to honor conservationists doing respectful, lawful work in the face of possible or realized threats of any kind, anywhere in the world.

12 September 2017

We're excited to announce that the videos from our storytelling event at IMCC4 in St. John's last year, are now available on YouTube and the SCB Marine Section stories page.

1 September 2017

2017 Conservation Research Small Grants round open!

The objective of the SCB Marine Section Conservation Research Small-Grants Program is to advance the conservation of marine organisms and their habitats by providing funds to individuals or groups for research, conservation and restoration activities.

Grants will range from US$500-700. Closing date for applications is 7 October 2017.

For more information, to check eligibility, and find out how to apply, click here.

7 June 2017

2016-17 Small Grants Winners Announced

SCB Marine are pleased to support the recipients of the 2016-17 SCB Marine Small Grants round. These research, conservation, and restoration projects help fulfil the mission of SCB Marine around the globe.

16 April 2017

Save the date!

5th International Marine Conservation Congress

24 June – 29 June 2018
Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (KCH)

“Making Marine Science Matter”

The Society for Conservation Biology’s Marine Section (SCB Marine) invites you to attend the 5th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC5), which will be held June 24 – 29 2018 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (Airport code: KCH).

IMCC is a biennial meeting organized by SCB Marine. IMCC brings together more than 1,000 marine scientists, professionals, stakeholders, and students from around the world. The 2018 IMCC will feature sessions on widely ranging topics, including tourism, marine protected areas, fisheries, communication, sustainable seafood, climate change, endangered species, citizen science, public engagement and much more. The theme of IMCC5, Making Marine Science Matter, reflects our focus on applying scientific research to conservation and sustainability. IMCC5 will also feature the OceansOnline initiative, a full day dedicated to the uses of communication and online resources for marine conservation, on 29 June 2018. You can find more information at: http://conbio.org/mini-sites/imcc5/ where other details will be shared as they become available.

If you have any questions, please contact the meeting chairs. We hope to see you all there!

21 March 2017

The SCB Marine section joined 370 other organisations, businesses and community leaders to ask the US Congress to block proposed budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read the open letter here. Our friends at the Ocean Conservancy have also created a campaign, making it easy to send a message of your own (US only).

17 February 2017

SCB Marine Section Welcomes New Board Members

The SCB Marine Section is pleased to welcome four new members to its board of directors!

Three year terms for the following four new members starts with immediate effect:

“I am thrilled to welcome our newest board members,” Marine Section President Katie Mathews said. “Their knowledge and enthusiasm will be put to use as the Board explores new ways our Section can leverage its expertise and strengthen our community. As we look toward our next IMCC in Malaysia, I am excited to see what this team will do. Please join me in welcoming Angela, David, Katie and Sophia.”

Katie also thanked outgoing board members for their service.

"The Section is grateful to the outgoing Board members Toni Mizerek, Andrew Wright, Mel Cosentino and Chris Parsons for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the Section and our marine conservation community," she said.

The Marine Section Board thanks all candidates who participated in the election and for their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to the work of the Marine Section. Participating candidates included: Keni Rienks, Imogen Scott, Matt Tietbohl, Leslie Cornick, David Johns, Ken Anthony, Kat Gledhill, Alyssa Marabella, Rachel Skubel, Angela Szesciorka, and Noëlle Tubbs.

The Section also thanks all Marine Section members who voted in the election and for their continued involvement and support.

We look forward to working with you all to further marine conservation!

March 2016

The first SCB Marine Section Diversity Membership Drive took place at the beginning of March 2016. New members from developing countries, small island developing states, and indigenous communities could apply to receive a one-year free membership to SCB and the SCB Marine Section. We awarded 27 memberships to new members from Peru, South Africa, Philippines, Fiji, Colombia, Bangladesh, Haiti, Indonesia, Antigua and Barbuda, Madagascar, and Dominican Republic. We also awarded seven memberships to new members from the indigenous communities of Iñpuiat, Yup'ik, St. Lawrence Island Yup'ik, and iTaukei. We hope to make the SCB Marine Section Diversity Membership Drive a regular event.

The SCB Marine Communication Committee is seeking a Journalism/Media Intern. Please see the specific requirements, benefits and application instructions on the Communication Committee Internship Opportunities page. Upon successful completion of internship duties prior to IMCC4, the intern will receive full subsidised travel and accommodation expenses for attendance at IMCC4 and OceansOnline to help during the conference.

Critically endangered vaquitas in Mexico have a new ambassador! Meet Monica Michelle Medina and read more about her work with vaquitas here.

The 4th International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC4) will take place Saturday, 30 July - Wednesday, 3 August 2016 in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (YYT). (There will be pre- and post-conference workshops and activities, as well.) The theme of IMCCs is Making Marine Science Matter.

The 4th International Marine Conservation Congress will feature the new IMCC initiative OceansOnline, an optional add-on day on Thursday, 4 August 2016, aimed to show how internet tools can help ocean scientists and conservationists with research, education and outreach. OceansOnline is inspired by the former ScienceOnline Oceans.